Siege (As the World Dies #3)(17)

“I’ll check back in then. I gotta go check in with some Juan guy,” the big man answered. “I can make time for you,” Ken managed to squeak out.

“When he’s done with my hair,” Peggy added, giving Ken a dark look.

He ignored her and took a step toward the newcomer. “I’m Ken and more than willing to help you fulfill your grooming needs.”

“If that ain’t a come on, I don’t know what is,” Lenore muttered.

“Um hmm,” Yolanda agreed.



Ken flipped them both off. The big guy laughed and shook his head. “It’s all good. I’ll just come back. Name is Dale. I’m glad to meet all of you.”



“I’m Ken, and the rest of these bitches are Peggy, Lenore, Yolanda, and that’s Felix.” “I’ll be back, Ken. Thanks.” The big guy flashed a wide grin, then left.



“You could have let him go first!” Ken wailed, whirling around toward Peggy. “Oh, no way am I supporting your sinning ways. You practically threw yourself at that poor man.” Peggy folded her arms, giving him a disdainful look



“Ugh! I hate you,” Ken pouted. “I’m chopping off your hair and dying it, you old bat!”

“Fine! But make it snappy!” Peggy smiled slowly. “Besides, he was kinda cute in a bear-like way. Maybe I should look a little more presentable.” “I’m going to shave your head,” Ken growled.

Peggy just chuckled and waved a hand at him. “You’d like to, but you won’t. Cause then I could tell everyone you ruined my hair.”



“Ugh! You’re evil!” Ken frowned, but began his work. Soon he was consumed in his task, but he still couldn’t help but think of the big, brawny guy with the great smile. Hopefully, he would come back for a shave and a trim. Smiling at the thought, Ken continued to snip away as the ice continued to ping against the window.





2. Making Demands

Travis sighed the second he saw Stephen Mann briskly walking down the hall toward him. This wasn’t going to be pleasant. The sleet was coming down hard and he contemplated ducking out into it to escape the determined man bearing down on him. The thought of being pelted by the ice rain and the harsh wind was enough to keep him from opening the door. He was trapped and knew it.

Slowly, he turned away from the door leading out onto the construction site and headed down the hall. As he knew he would, Stephen fell into step beside him. “We need to talk,” Stephen started.



“Make it fast. I got things to do other than to hear your latest complaints,” Travis answered. “Okay, I deserve that. I know that I have complained at times-”



“-everyday-” “-since we arrived here, but it has been very difficult for Blanche to adapt. She struggles to fit in and she’s not doing too well.”



Travis stopped, turned, and regarded Stephen with raised eyebrows. “You’re joking, right?”

Stephen ran his hand over his hair nervously. “What do you mean?”

“Blanche does not try to fit in at all. She yells at everyone all the time and is a right, royal bitch. She lied to Linda about the Imotrex and accused her of stealing. She also shoved my very pregnant wife when Katie tried to calm the situation down. So do not tell me that Blanche is trying.” His brow puckering, Stephen averted his eyes, obviously weighing what his next words should be. “Okay. So maybe she’s not trying, but this has been difficult for her. She was raised dirt poor, but her Mama always took good care of her and treated her like a princess. When she married me, I made sure she got everything she deserved.”



Travis sighed, rubbing his tired eyes. “Stephen, why are you telling me this? What do you want?”

Stephen fumbled with the buttons of his shirt nervously. “We want to go home. Blanche hates it here. She wants the Hummer back and anything you guys took from our estate and she wants to go home.”

“No. The Hummer is an important part of our defense and anything salvaged from your home is part of the fort’s inventory now. If you want to leave, we can get you a car, a few days of food, and a gun, but then you guys are on your own.” Travis hated the words coming out of his mouth, but this was the law of the new world. As mayor of the fort, it was his responsibility to keep its inhabitants safe and as healthy as possible. “You can’t do that. It’s our property.” Stephen’s voice rose in pitch and a few people walking by hurried on. “We paid for all of that. Our money. Our property. Give it back.”



“Stephen, no. We took food and anything else the fort needed when we salvaged your place. It’s part of the stores now. How are we supposed to know what we took at this point? That was months ago. We probably ate the food by now.” Travis set his hands on his hips and gazed steadily at Stephen. “And why do you want the Hummer?”

“Because it’s ours!” “Are you going to use it to drive you and Blanche out to areas to salvage? Where are you going to get your food? Your supplies? Chances are, we give you the Hummer, you take off, and we’ll find you two moaning outside our walls in a few days.”



“Don’t underestimate us, Travis.”

“Blanche won’t even clean her own damn room right now. Who is going to cook?” “Actually, Blanche thought maybe we could get a few people to go with us if we promised them some jewelry and other valuables,” Stephen answered in a cold, angry voice. He was growing impatient. He was used to being able to push around local officials. He did not like being rebuffed.